Cows smarter than most people think

Respect means we treat them pretty well when they are alive and we do not torture them long. making their death quick.  It also means that we should appreciate the life they give so we may eat.  To call them dumb animals is not respecting them.  Wasting the meat is not giving respect.  I was brought up to understand that if you take an animals life, you should eat the animal and none should be wasted intentionally.  I see so many people wasting food nowadays and it kind of makes me a little sad.

What you said in your post is actually respect.......well, just about as much respect as you can give for your livestock which will eventually be killed for food.